Sources in Canillo and the Diocese deny that Serrano requested the withdrawal of Andorra's abortion reform

Sources in Canillo and close to the Diocese of Urgell have questioned a report published this Thursday by Diari d'Andorra, which claimed that the Episcopal Co-Prince, Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat, had expressed opposition to Andorra's proposed Penal Code reform on abortion during his pastoral visit to the parish between November 1 and 7.

Sources consulted by La Veu Lliure have gone as far as describing the report as "fake news", pointing out that the Episcopal Co-Prince does not have the authority to order the withdrawal of a bill currently undergoing parliamentary proceedings.

According to these sources, there is no confirmation that the alleged conversation took place as reported, nor that Serrano asked local authorities to withdraw the bill from parliamentary consideration.

The report published on Thursday claimed that the Episcopal Co-Prince had expressed disagreement with the reform and suggested that it should be withdrawn.

However, sources close to Demòcrates in Canillo and the Diocese of Urgell believe that the understanding reached between the Andorran government and the Vatican is sufficiently solid that neither side considers further changes to the agreed approach necessary.

According to these sources, there is a consensus on the formula chosen to address the decriminalisation of abortion for women without undermining the institutional balance of Andorra's co-principality.

In this context, the fact that the Episcopal Co-Prince will not sign the legislation, as previously reported by La Veu Lliure, does not mean that he intends to obstruct its parliamentary progress. Rather, this possibility is understood to form part of the prior arrangement with the government.

The report, however, does not identify any of the authorities allegedly involved in the conversation, provide direct quotations from Serrano or present documentary evidence supporting its interpretation.

An alleged conversation without identified witnesses

At the centre of the controversy is an alleged conversation that the newspaper claims took place during the Co-Prince's pastoral visit to Canillo.

According to the report, Serrano expressed his disagreement with the proposed reform in front of local officials.

However, the article does not specify when the conversation allegedly occurred, who was present or the exact words used by the Episcopal Co-Prince.

This lack of detail is particularly significant given the institutional implications of the claims. Attributing a request to withdraw legislation to one of Andorra's heads of state would represent a substantial political development.

Meanwhile, sources in Canillo and the Episcopal Co-Prince's circle consulted by La Veu Lliure have not corroborated this account of events.

The absence of publicly available evidence does not categorically establish that no private conversation occurred. However, it also means that the alleged opposition cannot be treated as a verified fact in the terms described by the published report.

The abortion reform follows an understanding with the Vatican

The controversy arises amid the parliamentary debate over Andorra's proposed reform of Article 117 of the Penal Code, which seeks to decriminalise women who undergo abortions while maintaining criminal penalties for healthcare professionals.

The proposal forms part of an approach developed through contacts between the Andorran government and the Holy See, aimed at changing the legal treatment of women without disrupting the country's institutional framework.

Sources consulted by La Veu Lliure maintain that the agreement reached with the Vatican remains the basis of the reform and that there are no indications that the Episcopal Co-Prince has requested its withdrawal.

The distinction between the Co-Prince not signing the legislation and actively opposing its parliamentary consideration is particularly important in this context.

According to the sources, the decision not to sign the reform is consistent with the arrangement previously discussed between the government and the Vatican and should not be interpreted as an attempt to prevent the legislation from proceeding.

Serrano's pastoral visit to Canillo focused on religious and institutional activities

The Episcopal Co-Prince's visit to Canillo took place between November 1 and 7, with a programme of religious, cultural and institutional events.

The official schedule published by the local council included religious celebrations, meetings with residents and several public activities, including the inauguration of a mural by artist Samantha Bosque.

The visit formed part of Serrano Pentinat's pastoral and institutional responsibilities.

Although the disputed report places the alleged comments about abortion reform during this visit, the sources consulted by La Veu Lliure have not confirmed that any request to withdraw the legislation was made.

For now, the alleged conversation remains unverified, while the abortion reform continues to be considered within the parliamentary framework established following discussions between the Andorran government and the Vatican.